“What?”
“No, Kenneth.” I shake my head more, attempting to rid myself of the thoughts rather than convincing him. “I can’t do this.”
“Why the fuck not, Josie?” His voice drops an octave, turning downright dangerous. “You’ve been toying with me every chance you got, and now, when I’m here, you say you can’t?” He grinds his molars before speaking again. “Was it all a fucking game to you? Seeing how far a small-town guy would go for you?”
“What?” I blink, not understanding what on earth he’s talking about because the reason is obvious. “No! I wasn’t toying with you.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “Then what happened between there,” he points at the window where I was waiting for him, “and here.” His finger points at the space between us.
I watch his face, not believing him—there is no way he doesn’t know what I mean. Maybe he’s not so good after all.
“Jennica, Kenneth. Jennica happened!” I almost yell.
“Jennica?” His brows rise to his hairline. “What does she have anything to do with this?”
I blink at him in astonishment. “You’re together! How can you be here with your…” I press my lips together, trying to find the right phrase in my aggravation, “your belt while you’re buying her breakfast?” Then understanding dawns on me. “A-a-ah, I see. You need to scratch the itch while you are in the,” I make air quotes, “doghouse.”
He opens his mouth. Then closes it. And opens again. “I can’t fucking believe it,” he growls.
I purse my lips and wait for him to elaborate.
“You think I’m a fuckin’ cheater?” He looks so offended I become unsure if I read the situation right. Walking toward the place where he dropped his belt, he says, “Jennica is my coworker and a friend, who is happily married, by the way.” He glares at me for a second while lead settles in the pit of my stomach. “But you should have known better, Josie. Out of everyone,” he waves his hand in the air, “I thought you had figured me out. Turns out I was wrong.”
There’s so much disappointment in his voice that I can barely take it. He picks up his belt and heads toward the door.
Without thinking, I run after him and grab his hand right before he pulls the doorknob.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper into his back, and he stops without turning to me. “I’m sorry I assumed it.” I lean into his back while holding his hand. “I didn’t mean it.” I pause. “At least not like it came out.” Letting out a loud sigh, I decide to tell him the truth. “My ex-boyfriend cheated on me, and I’d never want anyone to be on the receiving end of that feeling.” The muscles on his back tense, and I press my cheek between his shoulder blades. “When you mentioned Jennica and buying her favorite breakfast, I—” I clear my throat, “I got jealous.”
He takes a deep breath.
“But also hurt. I thought we had chemistry and maybe… something else, but then Jennica and all my assumptions.” I chuckle. “Which clearly made an ass of me.”
His chest rumbles.
“What I’m trying to say is don’t go. Please.”
He makes a move to turn around, and I let go of his hand and take a step backward. He finds my eyes and holds them.
“I was wrong to assume anything. I’m sorry, Ken,” I whisper, feeling utterly remorseful but hopeful he can feel it. “Will you stay?”
ChapterTwenty-One
JOSIE
His intense eyes don’t stray from mine when he says, “I am not a cheater, Josie. Never have been. Never will be.”
“I know,” I whisper.
He sighs. “The moment is kind of gone.”
My stomach drops in disappointment. “I’m sorry. I know you’re a good guy.” Then I add, turning to the side and mumbling under my nose, “Maybe too good for me.”
He cocks his head. “Why is that?”
“You wouldn’t know what to do with me,” I answer, biting my lips and taking the first step backward.
“Yeah?” He quirks a brow.
